The papers relating to Admiral Edward Vernon are intended to give an estimate of his contribution to naval strategy and tactics. They are divided between his command in the West Indies from 1739 and 1742 and command in the English Channel in 1745.
Preparation for war with Spain was made in June 1739 and Vernon was appointed admiral in July with orders for the West Indies.
The government Opposition favoured not just protection of trade but also the capture of Cuba. Vernon had plans for this course of action but on arrival found the timing was wrong and subsequently this was beyond the army’s ability. Dissatisfaction with the inadequacy of land forces command is clearly shown in the documents.
He arrived at Port Royal in October and was off Porto Bello in November ready with clear and precise orders issued to his captains. Preparation, training and signals, additional to the Fighting Instructions, marked him as an effective administrator as also did the strengthening of Port Royal as a naval base. His success at Porto Bello showed him to be effective in action as well as good commander of men and resources.
In 1742 the threat of invasion from France, in support of the Jacobites, was again a time of need and Vernon was appointed admiral in command of a Channel squadron. He did not refrain from criticising the inadequate and inappropriate forces at his disposal. The Admiralty eventually took up his proposed strategy, yet the picture of a disgruntled man is clear.
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INDEX An Index of SHIPS follows this general index. The rank attributed to officers is the most senior they achieved during the period covered by this volume. ABAROA, F. de (Spanish naval commander), 36, 44, 45 Ackworth, Sir Jacob, 328, 434 Admiralty: 99, 139, 247, 255, 434, 522, 527, 542-3, 586-7; letters to Commissioners of Sick and Hurt, 323; letters to Navy Board, 316; letters from Vernon, 305-7, 309, 313-14, 318, 324, 445-7, 449-53, 458, 462, 464, 466, 469, 474, 478, 481-2, 484, 490, 493-4, 496, 499, 505-7, 509, 513, 517, 519, 523, 530-1, 533-4, 536-7, 539, 543, 54<3, 549, 553, 556, 558, 561-2, 566, 569, 573, 580; letters to Vernon, 319, 321, 452, 458, 473, 481, 484, 487-8, 492, 497-8, 502-3, 508, 511-12, 516, 518, 525, 529, 536, 54i, 55i, 554, 562, 565, 567, 572-3, 577, 584-5 Alien, Capt. E., 257 Anson, Rear-Admiral G., 155, 435-7, 441-2, 444, 462, 554 Antigua, 7, 23-4 Antin, Marquis de (French Admiral), 13, 18, 136-40, 144, 150, 152, 174, 179, 206, 230, 237. Avisos, 196 Aylmer, Admiral Lord Matthew, 545 Azogues, 21-2, 26. BAKER, Rear-Admiral J., 454 Banff, Capt. Lord Alexander, 566 Baragoa, 106, 117, 238, 242 Baradera Battery (Cartagena), 16, 184, 191, 195, 198, 200-2, 209-10, 232 Barcelona, siege of, 4 Bazely, Capt., 452 Beauclerk, Capt. Lord Aubrey, 210 Beauclerk, Commodore Lord Vere (Lord Hanworth): 434-5, 438; letters to Vernon, 457, 462-3, 465, 467, 473, 475, 477, 483, 493, 495, 589 504-5, 517, 520-1, 526; letters from Vernon, 461, 468, 470, 476, 486, 528 Beazley, Capt. (privateer), 549, 567, 569, 572 Beckford, William, 364 Bedford, John Duke of: 434-5, 442, 445, 517, 522, 586-7; letters from Vernon, 445, 454, 474, 581 Berkeley, Capt. George, 46, 76, 81, 84, 88, 125, 128, 131, 159-60, 231 Berkeley, Admiral, 545 Bertie, Lieut., Lord Thomas, 428 Blakeney, Brigadier-General W., 143, 151, 233, 246, 257, 260, 265, 267-9, 275-6, 280 Boca Chica (Cartagena), 15-16, 51, 57, 81, 93, 99, no, 169, 181, 184-5, I9I-2, 200-2, 204, 207-8, 210-11, 221, 228-9, 230, 233 Boca Grande (Cartagena), 15 Bomba (Cartagena), 15 Bomb-vessels, 10, 16, 26, 57, 69, 80—3, 97, 107-8, 132, 184, 205, 208, 213, 214-16, 219, 226, 228, 231, 234, 247, 288, 296-7, 300-1, 320, 387 Boquillo (Cartagena), 219, 221, 223 Boscawen, Capt. E., 32, 60, 64, 113, 116, 125, 135, 153, 170, 179, 195-6, 206, 209, 230, 285-6 Boulogne, 441,443, 452,469, 488, 500, 553, 568, 570, 577, 579 Boyce, Capt. W., 249 Brest, French squadrons from, 136, 140, 144, 148, 150, 152, 175, 435-6, 446, 458, 459, 465, 467, 475, 478, 489, 526, 555, 559 Broderick, Capt. T., 77, 109, 113-15, 139, 210, 224-6, 257, 278 Brown, Commodore C., 2-3, 6-8, 10, 12, 23, 29, 32-3, 27, 55, 60, 63, 69, 78, 80, 98, 105, 107, in, 116, 131, 313, 316, 320, 327, 369-70 Browning, Joseph, 331-3 590 INDEX Bull, William, 256-7, 266, 271 Bulley, Capt. W., 529, 534 Burn, Patrick, 51, 57 Burchett, Josiah, 22, 55, 58, 320 n. Burrish, Capt. G., 123, 130, 310, 359 Busby, Dr. R., 3 Byng, Admiral Sir George (Viscount Torrington), 4, 454, 471, 545 Byng, Rear-Admiral Hon. John, 437, 439, 461-3, 466-8, 471, 474, 480-1, 487, 489, 490-4, 505, 5io, 515, 541, 555. 559 CADIZ, Spanish squadron from, n, 102-4, no, 175 Calais, 443, 469, 488, 563-5, 569-70, 577 Caracas Coast, 7, 23-25, 106, 116 Carpenters, supply of, 305, 317, 321, 324, 327, 329-30, 345-7, 354, 356, 368 Cartagena, 6-15, 19, 26-31, 45-69, 76, 80-1, 90-102, 109-17, 122, 128, 131, 136-7, 14°, *49, *53-4, 160, 169, 174, 179, 180-235, 238, 242, 273, 286, 288, 309, 424-6, 428 Carteret, Lord John (Earl Granville), 2, 129 Cathcart, Maj or-General Lord Charles, 11-13, 79, 89, 102-3, 109-10, 119- 21, 127, 129, 131, 134-9, 141-2, 145, 148-9, 150-1, 156, 157, 161-2, 175-7, 244-5, 252, 339, 373 Cavendish, Lord James, 233 Cavendish, Admiral P., 238, 262 Chagres, 10-11, 77, 81-4, 96, 117-8, 132, 256, 288, 316, 327, 412-13 Chamba Battery (Cartagena), 182,207 Chatham Chest, 346 Chavagnac, Marquis de, 152 Cleland, Capt. W., 166, 210 Cochran, Colonel, 201 Coehorn mortars, 34, 189, 210 Colby, Capt. C., 195, 209 Coleman, Capt. R., 63 Coleman, Lieut. R. (son of above), 63 Contraband, 65-6, 69, 73, 76 Convoy (see also Jamaica Trade and N. American Colonies, troops and trade from), 123-7, 151-4, X 59, 161, 165,167,176, 213, 224, 310-11, 319, 322, 333, 335, 340, 343, 353-4, 4™. 458, 462, 464, 471, 509-10, 536, 566 Cooper, Capt. T., 172, 186, 207, 232 Cootes, Capt. T., 195, 209-11 Cope, Lieut.-General Sir John, 437, 457, 464-5, 467-8, 477 Corbett, Sir Julian (historian), 285-8 Corbett, Thomas, 320, 345, 434, 438, 442, 455, 542, 546, 555, 556, 582, 586-7 Corps de Reserve, 285-291 Cotterel, Capt. C., 186,192, 202-3, 273 Councils of War, 171-5, 178-80, 190- 192, 196-7, 207, 209, 213-16, 218, 224-9, 242-4, 250-3, 265-7, 277-9, 281-3 Cragg (or Craig), Lieut. R., 241 Craven, Capt. T., 539 Cuba, 3, 17-18, 121-2, 138, 229, 241, 247 Currency difficulties, 155 Cusack, Capt. J., 143, 151, 282 DAMPIER, Lieut., 157 Dandridge, Capt. W., 14, 144, 163, 171, 173, 178 Darien Indians, 109 Dennis, Capt. H., 210, 509-10 Dent, Capt. Digby, 93,113,124-5,127 Deptford Dockyard, 306, 340-4, 348, 352-4 Derwentwater, Lord, 440, 543-4 Desertion, 239, 273, 308, 312-14, 324, 334, 368, 399, 408-10, 415-16, 418- 420, 426-7, 429-31, 513, 5i6, 518- 519, 535, 540, 542 Devers (or Davers), Capt. T., 186 Dicker, Mr., 255, 260-1 Douglas, Capt. W., 49, 69, 75, 80, 105, 117, 135, 165, 180, 183 Douglas, Lieut. J., 149, 249 Draper, Lieut. J., 34, 94, 108 Drummond, Capt. C., 24 Drunkenness, 12, 128, 308, 313-14, 338, 402, 417-18, 421, 430 Dungeness, 441-2,499,562-3,569-70, 580 Dunkirk, 435-9, 442-3, 452-60, 466, 469, 472-3, 483-8, 491-4, 497, 502, 508, 512, 529, 534, 537, 539-42, 549-50, 556, 559, 562, 566-9, 572-4 Durell, Capt. P., viii, 63, 117, 135 Dutch troops in Britain, 437, 439, 458, 462, 464-5, 468 Dutch warships in Channel, 436-9, 451, 458-9, 461-4, 49i, 49i, 496 501-2, 506-10, 521, 523, 535-6 INDEX EAST INDIA COMPANY, 465, 468, 520, 561, 566 Edinburgh, Jacobites at, 437, 454, 457, 461, 464-8, 470-4, 477, 482-5, 49i, 493, 517 Egmont, Earl of, Diary, 4-5 Esclava, Don Sebastian de, 86 Eustatius, 101, 133, 142 FENELON, Marquis de, 152 Ferrol, Spanish squadron from, 11-12, 26, 86, 88, 93, 96, 98, 102-4,109-10, 117-18, 136-8, 142, 144, 175, 406, 437, 446, 449, 465, 474, 478 Fidalgo, Don Pedro, 28 Fighting Instructions, 285-303 Fire-ships, 10, 12, 26, 57, 59, 97, 108, 132, 191, 207, 215, 217, 224, 226, 231, 288, 295-6, 300-1, 310, 318-20, 328, 386, 443, 453, 469 Fitzroy, Capt. Lord Augustus, 172-3, 212 Flanders, British troops brought from, 462, 465, 467, 474, 495 Flogging round Fleet, 408 Florida, Gulf of, 48-9, 54, 65, 247 Flota, the, 118 Fontenoy, battle of, 435 Forrest Lieut. A., 81, 98, 100-1, 147, 191-2 Forster, William, 146-7 Fort Manzanilla (Cartagena), 16, 52, 215 Forty-Five, the, see Pretender and Jacobite Rebels Fowke, Capt. T., 562, 565, 569 Frame, Capt., 191 France: assists Spain in W. Indies, lo-n, 13, 26, 63, 65, 69, 73-5, 84, 106, 115, 118, 124-5, 127, 136, 140, 151, 160, 165; possibility of war with, 68, 128, 163, 171, 176, 251-4 258, 263, 267, 284, 310, 328, 330, 3^5, 390; sends squadron to W. Indies, 13-14, 18, 61, 136, 140, 142, 144-5,148-9,152-4,159-61,170-6, 178-9, 206, 269; threatens to invade Britain, 434-41, 455, 459, 502, 505, 508, 512-13, 520-1, 526, 529, 537, 54°-2, 551-3, 559-^o, 565, 568, 57^~7» 580; trade with Spanish W. Indies, 241 Fraser, Brigadier-General, 251 Fuller, Dr., 254, 261 GALLEONS, Spanish, 6-n, 14, 24, 30-1, 45-6, 57, 76, 90, 93, 114, 118, 153, 213 Geddes, Capt., Alexander, Commissioner of the Navy, 479 George II, King, 5, 103, 244, 435, 440 Georgia, 6, 10, 19, 62, 257, 266, 274, 277-8, 280 Gibraltar, 3-4, 330 Gloria Castle (Porto Bello), 33-9, 87 Gordon, Lieut. Lord Lewis, 504 Gotham, wise men of, 439, 485, 499 Graham, Capt. Lord George, 471, 475 Granard, Admiral Lord George, 177, 434 Grand Baru (Cartagena), 153, 181, 184, 186 Grant, Colonel, 233 Gravener, Capt. (privateer), 549, 567, 569, 57° Graves, Capt. S., 231 Greenwich Hospital, 346 Gregory, Capt. T., 443 n., 455-6, 46l » 466-7, 469, 473-4, 481, 484, 494, 500, 514, 528-9, 532, 548, 55i, 5^3-4> 569, 574, 58o Grenadiers, 198, 207-8, 211, 219, 226 Griffin, Capt. T., 164, 186, 192, 212 Grog, 132, 308, 313, 417-18 Guarda-Costas: French, 106, 114, 140, 144; Spanish, 2-3, 10, 65, 83, 90 Guest, General J., 477 Guise, Brigadier-General J., 162, 214 Gunnery discipline and training, 8,15, 21, 33, 182-3, 197-8, 304, 318, 401 HADDOCK, Capt. R., 494, 496, 499, 606-10, 512 Haddock, Admiral N., 3, 104, 242-3, 322, 434, 454 Harcourt, Capt., 27 Harrington, Earl of, 435, 497-8 Harrison, Capt. H., 448, 563 Harwich, 497, 518, 529, 535 Havre, 441, 482 Hawke, Admiral Lord Edward, 285 Herbert, Capt. R., 23, 25, 33, 48, 82, 107, 113, 134, 153 Hill, Capt. J., 570, 574 Hinde, Mr., 108, 156, 168, 239, 327-8, 333, 337, 339, 356, 370, 372, 374, 376, 389 Hispaniola: 13, 69,128, 145,155, 160; Governor of, 126 592 INDEX Hollesley Bay, 438-440, 480,497, 501, 5i8, 535, 54L 544, 564 t’Hooft, Vice-Admiral William, 451, 462, 501, 503, 506-7, 510, 515, 523, 535-6, 553 Honduras: Bay of, 253; Gulf of, 19 Hore, Capt. D., 183,223, 228, 238, 265 Hosier, Admiral Sir Francis, 85, 90, H9, 319 Hospital at Jamaica, see Port Royal Howe, Lieut. R. (later Admiral Earl Howe), 459, 501 Hughes, Capt. R., Commissioner of the Navy, 354 IMPRESSMENT, 20, 72,103-4,168,176, 239, 255, 260-1, 308, 416, 419, 438, 453, 483-6, 488, 511, 513, 547 Ireland, possible invasion of, 450, 455, 468, 470 Irish troops in French service, 458, 497~8, 502, 512, 534* 537* 552, 558, 563, 577 Iron Castle (Porto Bello), 8, 33, 85, 230 Isle de Vache (Hispaniola), 171-3 JACOBITE Rebels, 435-9, 457-8, 464- 468, 471, 474, 477, 482-3, 491, 493, 504-5, 517, 520, 526, 528 James, Capt., 57, 85 Jamaica: (see also Kingston and Ports Antonio, Morant and Royal), 10-13, 65-66, 71-2, 107, 113, 117, 152, 154-5, 272, 275, 370, 398; trade from, 7-9,12-14,19, 27,52-4, 59-61, 65-71, 84, 94-5» 101. 105-6, 108,115-16,123,130,135,139,143, 153, 155, 165-7, 224, 238-9 KEMPENFELT, Midshipman Richard, 135 and n. Kingston (Jamaica), 52,151, 272, 356, 367, 413-14, 421 Kirby, Mr., 334, 456, 369-70 Knight, Capt. W., 68, 105, 124, 145, 152, 156, 159, 177, 273 Knowles, Commodore Charles, 9-10, 13,16, 45, 49, 77, 82-5, 98,105,116, 124, 144, 173, 179, 183-4, 194, 207, 210, 212-17, 219-23, 226, 230-1, 234, 311, 330, 430, 442-4, 455, 573, 575, 579-8o LA POPA (Cartagena), 221-3 L’Arnage, M. (Governor of Le”ogane), 73, 115, 124, 134, 146-7, 151, 160, 196, 206 La Vera Cruz, 10, 57, 61, 105-6, 116, 138, 242 Laws, Capt. W., 172-4, 178-80, 191, 195, 204-9, 214, 226, 247, 269 Lee, Capt., 242 Leeward Islands, 3, 9, 67 Legge, Capt. Hon. E., 22 Leighton, Colonel, 251 L6ogane, 19, 69, 73-5, 152, 174, 206, 252, 255 Leso, Don Bias de, 10, 28, 58, 74, 76, 81, 91, 99, 114-15, 124-5, 146, 153, 211, 235 Lestock, Commodore R., 13, 162,165, 177-8, 184, 189, 191, 196, 198, 200-1, 204-7, 210-12, 218-20, 225, 231, 243-5, 287 Lewis, Major, 184-5 Ligonier, General Sir J., 577 Limeburner, Capt. T., 119, 144, 150, 155, 193-4, 223, 249-50 Littleton, Commodore J., 4 Logwood trade, 19, 253 Long, Capt. Robert, 137 Lords Justices, 103-4, 162, 165, 230, 243-6, 3i5, 319, 452 Lowther (pirate), 19, 82, 167, 256 Lucas, Lieut. C., 457, 460, 469, 474-5, 486, 500 MACPHERSON, Mr. A., 37, 135, 232-4, 526 Madeira, 7, 23, 25, 402 Malaga, battle of, 3 Manning difficulties, 13, 61, 103, 136, 162,168,176, 273-80, 305, 311, 322, 402, 446-7, 450, 542, 547 Manzanilla Castle (Cartagena), 16, 52, 215 Marines, 120, 187, 275-80, 322, 507, 511-12, 515, 535, 540, 542 Marlborough, Duke of, 121 Marsh, Lieut. W., 31 Martin, Vice-Admiral W., 435-6,441- 2, 445-9, 458-9, 465, 468, 475-8, 520, 526, 538, 562, 567, 569, 570-1 Mason & Simpson (victualling contractors), 357-9, 363 Masters, Capt., 54, 63, 403 Masterson, Capt., 471 INDEX 593 Mathews, Admiral T., 8, 286, 454, 583 Maynard, Capt. R., 135, 145, 167 Mayne, Capt. Covil, 21 Mayne, Capt. Perry (son of above), 33, 105, 117, 123, 152, 187-8, 232 Medicines, provision of (see also Surgeons’ Stores), 379-83, 387, 394 Merrywether, Manning & Tickle (prize agents), 96, 99, 414, 430 Mexico: 6, 238, 241-2, 253; Viceroy of, 123, 126 Millan, F. (author), 285 Mitchell, Capt. C., 320 Mortars (see also Coehorn), 34, 208, 216, 219 Mosquito Indians, 253, 282 Mostyn, Capt. S., 172, 193 NACTON, 434 Navy Board: 58, 99, 132, 389, 548; letters from Vernon, 305-6, 326, 333, 336, 338, 344, 354, 356; letters to Admiralty, 305-6, 325, 329-30, 335, 340, 345-7, 34®, 352-3 Nelson, Vice-Admiral Lord Horatio, 286 Newcastle, Thomas Holies, Duke of: 12, 14, 17-18, 21-3, 48, 100, 102, 104, 109, 135; letters from Vernon, 95,123, 141,150, 161,177, 206, 226, 257, 269, 283; letters to Vernon, 77, 103, 243 New England, see North American Colonies Newton, Capt. W., 37-8, 41 Nombre de Dios, 256 Norbury, Lieut. C., 393 Norris, Capt. H. (son of Admiral), 209 Norris, Admiral Sir J., 4, 117, 120, 136, 138, 243, 262, 285-7, 435-6, 443, 448, 473, 543, 545-6, 554, 583 North American Colonies: carpenters recruited from, 356; seamen recruited from, 389; supplies and trade from, 9, 59-60, 67-8, 70-2, 105, 115, 126, 135, 168-9, 238, 273, 308, 311-13, 322, 328, 331, 337-41 , 352, 355, 359, 388-9, 399-400, 4*9- 20; supplies to enemy, 13, 101, 133, 142-3, 146, 153, 176, 306, 380-1; troops from, 12-13, J9, J35, 138-9, 143, 151-4, 187-9, 192, 230, 244-6, 254, 277, 280, 378, 421 Norway, masts from, 341 O’BRYEN, Christopher (author), 285 n. 2 Officers, Vernon’s disciplining and training of, 13, 165, 301-2, 308, 404, 406, 409, 411-13, 420, 422-4, 427-8 Ogle, Admiral Sir Chaloner, 3, 13, 15, 19, 104, 145, 148, 155-8, 161, 171, 175, 177, 178, 181, 184-5, 191, 197- 8, 200-1, 204, 207-8, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 231, 251, 254-5, 260-1, 262-70, 274-8, 281-4, 289, 304, 336, 344, 355, 393, 434, 583 Oglethorpe, Colonel J., 62 Ordnance Board: 58; Vernon’s letters to, 305, 307, 365-6 Orford, 497, 539 Orford, Edward, Earl of, 545 Ormond, Duke of, 251 Osborne, Robert (Deputy-Secretary of Admiralty), 552 Ostend, 435-6, 439, 443, 452, 456, 458, 461, 466, 469, 475, 497, 499, 500, 502, 508, 529, 559, 568-9, 574 Owen, Capt., 564-5 PANAMA: 19-18, 89, 92, 101, 109, 114-15; President of, 9, 41-2, 85, 89, 92 Pardo, Convention of, 3 Pares, Prof. R. (historian), ix, 242 n. Parliament, 3-4, 78, 119-20, 149, 434, 464 Patereroes, 211 Peers, Capt. J., 386 Pelham Administration, 434 Pellatt, Capt. T., 233 Penryn, 4 Perceval, Lieut. F., 28, 38, 68, 70, 115, 126, 135, 145, 168, 224, 313, 337, 339, 397, 399 Peru, 238, 241-2 Petit Guave (Hispaniola), 18 n., 19, 174, 179-80, 206, 252-3 Pilots, 75,101, 147, 422, 461, 473, 508, 512 Pirates, 19, 82, 102, 167, 242 Pitt, Mr. W., 259, 282 Pizarro, Admiral, 155 Playa Grande (Cartagena), 15, 80, 207, 232 Plymouth, 22, 435 Point Canoa, 28, 47, 49-50, 80, 109, 186, 207, 223 594 INDEX Pointis, Admiral J. de, 58, 182, 218 Political patronage in R.N., 9, 39-40, 234, 241, 249 Port Antonio (Jamaica), 27, 54, 70, 116, 131, 145, 307, 313, 326, 334, 366, 369-70* 374> 376 Port Louis (Hispaniola), 13-14, 108, 113, 131, 144, 148-9, 152, 154, 163, 171-3, 178, 273 Porto Bello, 6-n, 19, 26, 30, 46, 49- 50, 56, 61, 63, 76, 78, 82, 84-100, 119, 131-5, 14°* 153-4, I67, I69, 193, 256, 286, 311, 404, 412 Port Royal (Jamaica): 3, 7-8, 12-14, 19, 71-2, 109, in, 128, 151, 177, 224-5, 238; dockyard at, 99, 169, 305-6> 3n> 3i4> 316, 318, 320, 329- 336,339,344-5, 355~6, 398; hospital at, 168-9, 274, 305, 312-15, 319, 321, 324-6, 334, 338-9, 355, 376-8, 383, 398; ordnance magazines at, 58, 307, 325, 366 Portsmouth, 21-2, 25, 176, 238, 305, 307, 397-8> 436 Powlett, Capt. H., 285-6 Pressing, see Impressment Prestonpans, battle of, 437 Pretender, the Young, 434-5, 437-40, 444, 467-8 (see Jacobite Rebels) Privateers: English, 44-5, 88, 125-6, 158, 168, 238, 439, 441, 443, 449, 482-3, 503, 507-8, 531-3, 544-51, 555, 559, 564-7°, 574, 577 >’ French, 438, 440, 456, 459, 466, 481-5, 488, 494» 509-io, 514, 529-31, 533, 577; Spanish, 7, 27, 58, 65, 69-71, 95, 105-6, 113, 115, 117-18, 120, 125, 143, 257, 322-3 Prize money, 20, 24, 27, 30, 59, 95, 98-9, 116, 132, 183, 205, 207, 262, 309, 320, 403-4, 413, 424-7, 430 Pulteney, Sir William (Earl of Bath): 2, 9, n, 18; letter from Vernon, 129; letters to Vernon, 39, 79, 119, 149, 240, 247 QUEBEC, Sir Hovenden Walker’s expedition to, 101, 133 READ, Mr. (master’s mate), 460 Reddish, Capt. H., 23, 47, 67, 70 Rentone, Capt. J., 47-8, 58, 77, 81, 102, no, 127-8, 130, 135, 138, 140, 148-50, 154, 173, 200-1, 207, 212, 226, 314, 319 Retes, Don Fransisco de (Governor of Porto Bello), 36, 40-1 Richelieu, Due de, 438, 441 Richmond, Admiral Sir Herbert (historian), x, 6 n., 8 n., 16, 286 n., 287 n., 288, 435-442 Riga, masts from, 34 Rochalart, Admiral, 154 Rodney, Capt. G. (later Admiral Lord Rodney), 561 Rooke, Admiral Sir G., 3, 285, 545 Roquefeuil, Admiral, 18 n., 174, 206 Ruatan, island, 19, 253-4, 258-9, 266-9, 274, 277, 282 Rum, 109, in, 132,188, 306, 308, 324, 364, 417-18, 431 Russell, Admiral Edward (Earl of Orford), 545 Russell, Capt. J., 49 ST. AUGUSTINE (Florida), 26, 62, 256-8 St. lago (Cuba), 11-12, 17-18, 27, 54, 102, 104-6, 115, 123, 125, 128, 138, 238, 242, 245-7, 251-2, 270, 273 St. lago, fort (Cartagena), 15, 181, 194, 207, 232 St. Jeronimo castle (Porto Bello), 33, 36 St. Joseph fort (Cartagena), 15-16, 204, 211 St. Kitts, 24 St. Lazar castle (Cartagena), 16-17, 52, 215, 218-19, 222, 234, 251 St. Louis castle (Cartagena), 15, 181, 184, 199; also called Boca Chica St. Marta, cape, n, 80, 86, 89, 100, 105, 108, 112, 196, 231 St. Philip castle (Cartagena), 15, 181, 194, 207, 232 Sandwich, John, Earl of, 129, 434-5, 509, 521, 522 Santa Fe”, Viceroy of, n, 86, 88, 92-3, 100,114,117,123,134,154,179, 3°9 Saxe, Marshal, 435, 497, 502 Scott, Capt., 160 Search, right of, 3 Seville, Treaty of, 4 Ships, design of, 348-52 Shipwrights, shortage of at Jamaica, 345-7, 368-9, 372 INDEX 595 Shovell, Admiral Sir Clowdisley, 3, 285, 545 n., 583 Sick and Hurt, Commissioners of, 305, 307> 32i, 323, 378-83 Sickness among sailors and troops, 7, 12-13, 15, 17-19, 96, 103, 109, 118, 128, 163, 168, 180, 185, 200, 203, 225, 229, 234, 238, 243, 279, 304, 311, 322-4, 378-83, 396-7, 4 I 4~I 5, 421, 429, 54°. 547 Signals, additional, 8, 29, 283-303 Slops (clothing), 300, 312, 329, 331-3, 338, 392-3 Smith, Commodore Thomas, 460-1, 540-4, 554-5, 558, 562, 564, 572, 575-6 Smollett, Tobias, 17 n. Sodomy, punishment for, 366, 409 South Sea Company, 7, 9, 23, 25, 28, 41-2, 82, 86, 96, 101, 114, 123, 134, 155 Spain, England’s disputes with, 2-4, 20, 51, 58, 73, 311 Spanish invasion threat, 102, 118, 175 Spanish naval forces in West Indies (see Ferrol and Cadiz), 145, 153, 169, 257, 270, 288, 322 Spanish Town (Jamaica), 72, 235-6 Spinola, Admiral, 258 Spotswood, Major-General, 135, 338 Stapelton, Capt. Miles, 30, 65, 84, 101, 106, 108, 117, 123-4, J 38~9, 143-4, 159, 160, 311 Stewart, Capt., 193, 223, 400 Stewart, Charles (Consul at Flushing), 440, 444, 456, 471, 475, 481, 488, 530, 552, 567, 58o Stewart, Vice-Admiral J., 177, 238, 45i, 458 Stores, naval, shortage of in West Indies, 9, 12, 57-8, 96-7, 101, 113- 116, 126-9, 130, 155, 304, 306, 316, 327-8, 333-4 1 * 348, 353> 372, 386, 393-8 Sundon, Lord William, 237 Surgeons’ mates, shortage of, 305-6, 321, 346-7, 380-1 Swanton, Capt. R., 24, 267, 455, 462 Swearing, orders against, 308, 410-11 Symonds, Capt. R., 62 TACTICS, Vernon’s contribution to, 8, 33, 285-303 Terra Bomba (Cartagena), 182, 187, 207, 222, 231 Thomas, Mr., 84, 135, 316 Thomson, Lieut. O., 391 Tiburon, cape, 135, 139, 148, 150, 154-61, 170, 174, 178 Tickle, Mr. (see Merrywether, Manning & Tickle), 96, 142, 295-6, 398 Tiddeman, Capt. R., 286 n. Torres, Admiral R. de, 12, 14, 137-8, 154, 179, 230, 243, 257, 322 Torrington, George, Viscount, see Byng Toulon, battle of, 286-7 Toulon, squadron from, 136, 140, 148, 150, 154, 175 Townshend, Capt. I., 195, 208 Trelawny, Ed. (Governor of Jamaica), 7, 13, 16, 19, 70, 79, 96, 132, 134, 138-9, 146, 154-5, 162, 177, 194, 224, 230, 235, 242, 244, 250, 254-5, 257-72, 275-83, 311, 373, 404 Treverson, Capt., 130 Trevor, Capt. J., 33-4, 38, 156, 158, 216, 257, 262, 267, 269, 414 Trevor, Mr. (Consul at The Hague), 497-8, 552 Trinity House, pilots from, 461 Tucker, Capt. T., 269 Tweeddale, John, Marquis of, 488 Tyrawley, Lord James (Ambassador at Lisbon), 96, 329 UPTON, Capt. C., 562, 566 Utrecht, treaty of, 2, 136 VEGA, Martines de la, see Panama, President of Vernon, Admiral Edward: early life and naval career, 3-5, 261, 285, 454, 470, 583; in Parliament, 2, 4, 177, 238, 434; sent to West Indies, 3-5; his orders, 6, 78, 95; voyage to Jamaica, 6-7, 20-5; issues Additional Signals, 8; captures Porto Bello, 8-9, 29-46, 78; bombards Cartagena, 10, 80-1; destroys Chagres, 10, 77, 82-4; opposes big expeditions, 90, 101, 109; awaits reinforcements, 11-13, 93-161; issues grog order, 132, 308, 313, 596 INDEX 417-18; hears of enemy reinforcements, 11-13, 137-8; decides to attack French, 13-14, 162-79; asks to be recalled, 14, 180, 231, 247; Cartagena Expedition, 15-17, 180- 251; first quarrel with Wentworth, 15, 185; St. lago de Cuba Expedition, 17-18, 242-51; popularity in General Election, 18, 237-8, 240, 243; Panama Expedition, 18-19; last months at Jamaica, 19-20; colonises Ruatan, 19, 253-282; reinforces Georgia, 19, 280; recalled to England, 20, 281; unemployed and victimised, 434; promoted and appointed to Channel Command, 434-5, 445, 449, 522, 538, 581; sent to the Downs, 436, 450, 522, 538, 578; advocates Western Squadron, 436-7, 441, 450-1, 459; Views on French invasion, and countermeasures, 437-581, passim] advocates joint ranks in navy and army, 438, 494-5, 519, 54°, 545; differences with Admiralty on blockade, 439,488, 499, 506; successes against French, 440-1, 444, 493, 509, 514, 553. 564-6, 570, 574-5, 580; dispute with Admiralty over gunner of the Poole, 440, 536, 538-9, 542-6, 552, 554. 557-8, 582; offers to resign, 44 1 , 539, 56o, 567, 575, 578; dismissed, 441-2, 444, 578; publishes pamphlets, 442, 584—5, 587; struck off Flag-List, 442, 586-7. Additional Signals and Instructions, 8, 285-303; as administrator, 304- 9; Views on: gunnery, 8, 15, 21, 133, 197-8, 304, 308, 401; impressment, 438, 440, 447; ship-design, 62-3, 306, 348, 352; training and discipline, 308-9, 401-31 treatment of sailors, 309, 401, 407, 421, 429, 44°, 447, 485-6, 488, 513, 518, 525, 547, 561. Pamphlets by: An Enquiry into the Conduct of Captain Mostyn, 287; A Specimen of Naked Truth from a British Sailor, x, 442, 573, 578, 580-1, 584-7; Some Original Letters to an Honest Sailor, ix, 25, 77-9, 109-10, 117-19, 135-7, 175-7, 235-8, 242-3, 255, 457-587, passim Some Seasonable Advice from an Honest Sailor, x, 442-578, passim. Vernon, James (brother of admiral), 4, 222, 250, 262, 473 Vernon, James (father of admiral), 3-4, 98, 584 Vernon, W. F. (author), 434 n. Victualling Board: 389; letters from Vernon, 305-6, 359-60, 364; letters to Admiralty, 357, 361-2 Victualling of Fleet, 304-8, 317, 320, 357-62, 383-5, 391, 395-8, 418 WADE, Field-Marshal G., 468, 477, 491-5, 504-5, 517, 526, 528, 545 Wadham, Capt. (privateer), 537-9, 550 Wager, Admiral Sir Charles: 4, 7, n, 14, 22, 48, 119, 240-1, 247, 261-2, 309, 316, 545; letters from Vernon, 55, 80, 89, 91, 100, 104, 112, 123, I 3°, J 37, Z 77» 2°6, 226; letters to Vernon, 25, 102, 109, 117, 135, 175, 236, 242, 255 Wakeman, Capt. F., 199, 213, 233 Wales, Prince of, 149 Walker, Admiral Sir Hovenden, 101, 133, 36i Wallace, Mr. (agent for transports), 168, 216, 225, 467, 474 Walpole, Sir Robert, 2-5, 9, 119, 241, 247, 255 n. Ward, Mr. (shipbuilder), 350 Ward, Capt. H., 364 Waring, Capt. R., 53, 63, 364 Warren, Capt. P., 68, 151, 169, 174, 179-80, 204, 224, 389 Waterhouse, Capt. T., 24, 33, 37 Watson, Capt. C., 16, 38, 50, 76, 89, 164, 195, 209-10, 221, 273 Wentworth, Major-General T.: 13-20, 162, 166, 177, 194-7, 208-10, 214- 15, 220-3, 232-4, 243-7, 250-4, 258-70, 278, 281-340, 401; letters from Vernon, 185, 189, 192-3, 198, 200-2, 216-18, 224, 231, 235, 265, 267-8, 273-5, 277, 279 Western Squadron, 435-7,441, 450-1, 459, 470, 472, 528, 532-3 Westminster, election, 237, 240 Wimbleton, Cdr. C., 85, 242, 466, 469, 481, 498, 500, 514, 539, 549-50, 556-7, 562, 566 Winchelsea, Daniel, Earl of, 256, 262, 434, 440, 552 n., 545 n. INDEX 597 Windham, Capt. C., 26, 53, 57, 61, 69, 76, 80-1, 89, 93, 95-6, 114, 117, 310-11, 333-4, 359 Windward Islands, 389 Windward Passage, 48-9, 54, 65-70, 105-6, 159-61, 165, 238, 309-10, 389 Wright, Dr., 86, 101 YOUNG, Capt., 257, 262 INDEX OF SHIPS The following abbreviations are used to denote foreign ships: (D) Dutch; (F) French; (S) Spanish. Merchant ships are marked (m) and privateers (p). Africa (S), 212 Alderney, 139, 184, 258, 352, 375, 387 Anglesea, 2, 6, 23, 56, 67, 70, 87, 389 Assendelft (D), 581, 583 Assistance, 4 Astrea (S) (prize), 9, 38, 59, 60, 67-8, 70, 87, 115, 126, 145, 160, 311, 313, 331 , 337-9, 399, 4°°, 4°6 Ave Phoenix (D m), 123 Augusta, 178, 224, 350 Badger, 494, 496, 499, 500, 510, 562, 576 Barfleur, 3 Basilisk, 247 Blandford, 55, 70, 113, 123, 130, 359, 366, 368 Blast, 247 Bonetta, 243, 258, 282 Boyne, 189, 210, 257-8, 264, 270, 275, 280—1, 283, 350, 365, 381 Bristol, 320 Britannia, 4 Burford, 6, 8-9, 38, 50, 56, 61, 70, 76, 85, 87, 89, 92, 97, 105, 112-13, 132, 135, 164, 212, 214, 310, 316, 328, 402 Cambridge, 349, 351 Carlisle (p), 551, 564-5, 574 Chester, 255, 270, 321 Chesterfield, 511 Chichester, 212, 348-9, 351-2 Collet (m), 353-4 Conquistador (S), 213 Cruiser, 212-13, 217, 225, 231, 233, 321 Cumberland (fire-ship), 180, 310, 320, 328, 381 Cumberland, 350, 526 2 Q Dauphin (F), 537 Defiance, 129-30, 132, 222-4, 258, 316, 324, 335, 340, 464, 520 Deptford (m), 172, 193, 196, 258, 316, 324, 335, 352-3, 355 Devonshire, 349 Diamond, 9, 45, 49, 50, 56, 62, 70, 77, 87, 98, 105, 116-17, 3O9-10, 3 12 , 328, 360, 371, 430 Dolphin, 4 Don Carlos (S), 154 Dorsetshire, 349, 351-2 Dover, 454, 460-1, 471 Dragon, 469, 472 Dragon (S), 213 Drake, 27, 54, 61, 65, 369, 371, 385-6 Duke, 446, 487, 492 Duke of Bedford (p), 503, 528, 531-2, 539, 550, 555, 559 Duke of Newcastle, 408 Dunkirk, 172, 186, 232 Earl of Sandwich (p), 503, 508, 532 Eagle (p), 549, 553, 564-5, 567, 572, 574 Edam (D), 461, 491, 502 Eleanor, 266, 386 Elizabeth, 6, 21-2 Elizabeth (F), 465, 475 Elizabeth (m), 180 Eltham, 511 Emeraude (F), 482, 556, 559 Esperance (F p), 529, 533 Etna, 233, 453 Etoile (F), 482 Exeter, 518 Experiment, 130-1, 140, 148, 154, 212, 273-4* 3M> 319, 337, 339, 361 598 INDEX Falkland, 555, 563, 574 Falmouth, 49, 58, 65, 75, 8b, 82, 92, 97, 112, 131, 165-6, 180, 183, 309- 310, 328, 371 Folkestone, 464, 469, 496, 500, 509-10, 549, 562, 57°» 574′ 576 Fortune (S m), 160 Fowey, 243, 247, 269, 347 Fox, 491 Fraternity (m), 28 Friendship (m), 117, 317, 335 Galicia (S), 16-17, 2O4» 2I1 / 22O» 22 ^~ 229, 349 George, 154 Gibraltar, 541 Glasgow, 491 Gloucester, 491, 493 Grafton, 4, 317, 320 Granado, 466, 541 Grand Turk, 500, 503 Greenwich, 21, 52, 57, 61, 76, 80-1, 84, 89, 93, 97» i°5, ii 2 , 114-16, 243, 247, 273, 309-11, 328, 337, 403 Hampton Court, 2, 7-9, 29, 53, 55, 70, 85, 9i, 93, 96-7» 99, 105, 112-13, 124, I3I-2, 139, 148, 189, 210, 232, 309-10, 312, 328, 337, 403 Happy Janet (m), 491 Harris (m), 367 Hastings, 511, 541 Havre de Grace (F), 570 Hawke, 541 Hazard, 491 Hinchingbrooke, 580 Hornet, 499, 500, 519, 531, 562, 576 Hound, 481, 516 Jamaica, 516 Jersey, 4, 172, 207, 212, 233, 350, 454 Joseph (m), 271 Kennington, 321 Kent, 6, 21-2, 317, 320 Kinsale, 461, 491 La Fine (Fp), 482, 530, 556, 559 La Renoma (F p) 530 Lark, 352-4* 364» 454 Leeuwenhorst (D), 502 Lenox, 3, 6, 21 Lightning, 247 Litchfield, 166, 258 Loms *7 (F), 577 Ludlow Castle, 143, 184, 208, 238, 258, 270, 289, 454, 491, 541 Lyon, 186, 258, 273, 350, 465 Mary, 4 Mary (galley), 455, 482, 514, 534, 559 Mary (m), 335 Mary (S), 73, 75 Mayflower (m), 455-6 Mediator, 552 Milford, 491-2 Monmouth, 441-2, 555, 563, 567, 574 Montague, 526 Mortar, 541, 562 Namur, 524 Neptune, 469, 472 Norfolk, 208, 231, 348, 350 Norwich, 6, 23-4, 33, 48, 55-7, 82, 94, 108, 131, 134, 159, I77> 313, 339, 372, 383, 491, 496, 507, 510, 532, 563, 567, 574 Nottingham, 466, 469 Nuestra Senora de la Rosario (S m), 124-5, 127 Orford, 172, 212, 214 Oxford, 286 Pearl, 6, 22, 506, 509-10, 515, 534 Pluto, 570 Pompey, 108 Poole, 440-2, 491, 516, 524, 536, 552, 554» 558, 566 Prince Edward, 500, 503 Prince Frederick, 189, 210, 300 Prince Frisco (D), 502 Prince George, 446 Prince of Orange, 320 Princess Amelia, 210, 232-3, 348 Princess Carolina, 164, 233, 348, 350 Princess Louisa, 6, 24, 30, 33, 56-7, 59, 82, 97, 105, 115-16, I3I-2, 138, 139,145, 154, 159-60, 257, 262, 310, 328, 337, 384, 520, 563, 566, 574 INDEX 599 Raven, 491 Revenge (m), 94, 391 Reynardo (F p), 531, 533 Rippon, 212, 258 Rose, 511 Royal George, 446, 448, 487, 492, 525 Royal Sovereign, 546, 561 Ruby, 563, 574 Russell, 208, 348, 350 Rye, 4 S/. Albans, 243, 247, 273 S/. Antonio (S), 45 S*. B*H0I* (F), 577 St. George, 447, 450, 453 St. Joseph (S), 45 St. Juan (S), 76, 258 St. Nicholas (F), 577 S*. Philip (S), 212, 233 S/. Quentin, 541 Salamander, 572, 580 Salisbury, 454 Saltash, 491 San Carlos (S), 212 Sandwich, 447, 450, 487, 492, 526 Sapphire, 562, 565, 569-70, 574, 576 Sc#io, 354, 453, 496 Seahorse, 144, 150, 154, 264 500 Nymph, 333 S^ay£, 491, 496, 509, 512, 514 Sheerness, 2, 8, 30, 55, 61, 94, 106, 108, 113, 117, 145, 167, 355, 364, 371, 509-10, 529, 533-4. 536, 550, 57° Shoreham, 14, 31-2, 60, 64, 113, 125, 158, 170, 225, 258, 270, 278, 286, 366-7, 371 Shrewsbury, 3, 195, 204, 208, 232, 348-9, 35i, 381, 447 Speedwell, 541 Spence, 14, 172-3, 178, 180, 191, 205-6, 226 Spy, 105, 108, 115, 132, 135, 137, 141, 266, 278, 316, 339 Squirrel, 14, 68, 151, 169, 174, 179-80, 469, 478, 499, 500, 510, 534, 559, 580 Strafford, 6, 24, 33-4, 56-7, 97, 105, 112-13, 115-16, 126, 131, 138, 141, 156, 257, 262, 267, 269, 310, 316, 328, 333, 339, 349-50 Sturdy Beggar (p), 537 Success, 105, 112, 183, 233, 386, 459, 491, 496, 528 Suffolk, 186, 189, 210, 350 Superb, 223, 230, 320, 349-50, 429 Swallow (F), 577 Syren, 511, 541, 580 Tavistock, 478, 494 Ter Goes (D), 502 Terrible, 53, 92, 184, 309, 387 Tholen (D), 451 Thunder, 241 Tiger, 321 Tilbury, 130, 132, 138, 141, 149, 210, 316, 324, 335, 339-4°> 43*, 4^4, 466, 520, 563, 566 Torbay, 212, 348-9, 351, 469, 472 Torrington, 2, 58, 63, 68, 70, 105, 124, 131, 152, 156, 168, 224, 310, 322, 334 Trial (p), 483 Triumph (S) (prize), 46-8, 85, 95 Triton, 443, 510, 550, 569-70 Ursula, 491 Vizara (S), 258 Vulcan, 233, 543, 570 Vulture, 461, 491, 494, 496, 499, 500, 507» 515, 534 Warwick, 460 Weasel, 491, 516, 531, 533, 539 Weymouth, 13, 184, 212, 215, 217, 219, 224, 226, 349-50 Winchelsca, 511 Windsor, 2, 46, 56, 76, 81, 84, 88-9, 91, 97, 105, 112-13, 115, 125, 128, 131, 159, 231, 309-10, 328, 339 Wolf, 144, 163, 178-9, 481 Worcester, 6, 33, 56, 59, 70, 91, 97, 112, 123-4, I26, 132, l88, 212, 232, 258, 310, 316, 328, 333, 350, 366 York, 258 York (p), 549, 553, 564-5. 569-7°, 574. 577
Brian Ranft was born 14 July 1917 and educated at Manchester Grammar School and Balliol College Oxford. During World War II he served in the Royal Artillery, rising to the rank of major. He completed his D. Phil. At Oxford in 1967 with a thesis on The Naval Defence of British Sea-borne Trade, 1860 – 1905. After the war he joined the staff of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich rising to become Professor of History and International Affairs. He was also a visiting fellow at King’s College, London, where he taught naval history to several generations of postgraduate students. He was appointed Visiting Professor there in 1982. He died on 14 April 2001.
His published works include
• The Vernon Papers (Navy Records Society, 1958).
• Technical Change and British Naval Policy, 1860 – 1939 (Hodder & Stoughton, 1977).
• The Sea in Soviet Strategy with Geoffrey Till (Macmillan, 1983)
• Ironclad to Trident: 100 years of defence commentary: Brassey’s 1886 – 1986 (Brassey’s, 1986).
• The Beatty Papers Volume I (Navy Records Society, 1989).
• The Beatty Papers, Volume II (Navy Records Society, 1993).
• The Oxford Illustrated History of the Royal Navy, general editor Richard Hill, consultant editor Bryan Ranft (O.U.P.. 1995).
• Beatty, David, first Earl Beatty (1871-1936) in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004
• The Development of British Naval Thinking: Essays in Memory of Bryan Ranft, edited by Geoffrey Till (Routledge, 2006).
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